In order to warn doctors and patients about this plausible side-effect, the label on the drug will now be updated.
The drug is administered in the form of an injection, and is preferred by both patients and doctors as it is simpler to inject than insulin
and can support weight loss in some people.
As per statistics, Byetta was prescribed almost 7 million times by doctors between 2005 and 2008.
Side-effects of Byetta
Byetta (exenatide) is not a very old drug; it was approved in 2005 for treating type 2 diabetes. It’s known as an incretin mimetic and is a synthetic form of a compound that is found in the poison of a Gila monster, a lizard in the southwestern United States.
Byetta came under the scanner in 2007 when it was associated to an increased risk of acute pancreatitis. This life-threatening condition of the pancreas is accompanied by symptoms such as acute abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
Broadly, Byetta can cause side-effects that include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, which can ultimately lead to alterations in kidney function, explained Dr. Richard Hellman, a clinical professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine.
He was quoted as saying, “It is thought that the main reason nausea occurs is the effects of Byetta on the stomach.”
Hellman further explained, “If someone starts vomiting, they can lower the volume of fluid in their body. If it gets to dangerously low levels, their kidneys could be damaged and kidney failure could take place.”
Byetta complaints galore
Between the time period of April 2005 and October 2008, the FDA received 78 complaints of kidney problems associated with Byetta. These complaints included those of kidney failure too.
While a few patients were already suffering from a kidney disease before they started consuming Byetta, others developed kidney problems after taking the drug.
In all, 91 percent of patients had to be hospitalized, 18 required dialysis, two had to undergo kidney transplants, and four of them died.
After 80 percent of the patients stopped taking Byetta, half of them showed an improvement in kidney function.
The FDA revealed, “The 78 cases represent a small percentage of the total number of patients using the drug to control blood sugar (glucose) levels.”
High blood sugar can cause kidney damage
It is a known fact that high blood sugar levels can cause kidney failure and therefore, people suffering from type 2 diabetes should get alert as soon as they see signs of kidney damage.
Kidney problems might be a little difficult to detect as no symptoms surface at all in many cases. But a few indicators of kidney damage could include changes in urine color, swelling that originates in the feet and legs, fatigue, nausea or vomiting and trouble in sleeping.
If these symptoms occur, a doctor should be consulted immediately because if kidney damage is not treated on time, it can lead to kidney failure. This can make the whole body collapse with dangerous effects on the heart, brain, and bones.
Hellman said, “Before any patient takes Byetta, they should ask their physician whether they have decreased function of their kidneys and whether their kidneys are functioning well enough that taking Byetta would not be hazardous to their health.”
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